ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1948, Page 5

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME

Received .Sundav, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, July, 18. The flrst of the American Superfortresses arrived _ at Marham near Lincoln, sliortly before a.m. today. Three others followed at short intervals. The flrst plane earried General Hutchins, commanding the wing, Superfortress oflicers said they had been standing l)y for two weeks. The crews flrst knew they were cotning td England on July 15. Superfortresses and Skymaster transports bringing stajfs and supplies from the United States, continue to arrive at intervals. As darkness fell,. six feet high illuminated white letters in front of the control tower at Scampton airfield spelled on "Welcome to. Seampton. " Throughout the day and evening there was almost a gala atmosphere as British and American Air Force men moved about the i'ields welcoming the incoming crews, many of whose members had been. in Britain during the war. However, the people of the towns near the airfields, who, after watching the giant aircraft descending all day, had been lonkiag forward to welcoming the Americans themselves, were disappointed. All the men were r.estricteu to eanip until all the aircraft arrived. The aircraft made the Atlantie crossing at 17,000 feet at an average speed of 240 miles hourly, most flying blind on instruments. Lieut. -General Lemay, at Weisbaden, said the American Superfortresses will probably carry out "simulated bombing missionsU while fn Britain. The group would also be engaged in "jiormal rou,tine training flights. " They would probably land at United States bases "from time to time during th.e c^urse )f their mission." Sixteen jet iighters are expected next vcek. They aro now en route but are lcid by bad weather in Lahrador. it is not known if the jets will partieipate in the "practice" missions with the other American Iighters now in Germanv.